Feeding and spacing mechanism for cutting-machines.



D. T. WADHAMS.

FEEDING AND SPAGING MECHANISM FOR CUTTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1912. 1,095,250.

Patented May 5, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

65/ Svwenlio-i Zknas 77%aams D. T. WADHAMS.

FEEDING AND SPAOING MECHANISM FOR CUTTING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1912.

Patented May 5, 1914.

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D. T. WADHAMS.

- FEEDING AND SPAGING MECHANISM FOR CUTTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED we. 9, 1912.

1,095,250, Patented May 5, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' Memes: I I twenfo-z M 777mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DARIUS '1. WADHAMS, or oswneo, new roan, nssrenon T0 NIEL GRAY, .13., or

oswneo, new YORK.

FEEDING AND SPACING MECHANISM FOR CUTTING-MACHINES.

1,oa5,25o.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 9, 1912.

Patented May 5, 1914. Serial No. 714,160.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DARIUS T. WADI-IAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Uswego, in the county of Oswego and State of New York, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Feeding and Spacing Mechanism for Cutting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a feeding and spacing mechanism designed particularly for employment in cutting machines in connection with the cutting up of stock into small pieces.

A commercial type of cutting machine of the character to which this invention has particular application is that as employed in the cutting of cloth samples as largely distributed by cloth houses. The cloth to be cut in such machines comes in considerable lengths which are cut into sample pieces of but a few inches in dimensions requiring therefor a progressive feeding forward, a few inches for each cut, of yards of cloth to the knife.

The mechanism of my invention is especially designed for the convenient feeding of the work to the knife with accurate feed movements and in accordance with another feature of the present invention insures uniformity of the clamping pressure on the work.

A machine of the type above referred to is shown in the accompanying drawings having my invention incorporated therein, wherein the reference numerals of the description are applied to corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of my invention in side elevation. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation and a vertical sectional view of the clutch and spacing mechanisms thereof. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged portions of Figs. 2 and 3 better to illustrate certain details of my invention and Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified form of my device applied to a screw feed machine and are respectively a vertical sectional view and a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 8 illustrates the balanced pressure mechanism of my invention in elevation and Fig. 9 shows in elevation and with parts removed a desirable form of pressure mechanism.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing T have shown-a cutting machine having suitable standard 1 supporting the cutting mechanism comprising a knife 2 caried in the knife stock 3 to on and connected to the knife-stock by pitman connections 6. The usual clamp 7 suitably operated, may also be employed.

All the foregoing is of the usual construction and need not be further described.

The usual table 10 for the work, in the machine of the type here shown is extended rearwardly to the extent that requirements demand and the material to be cut is placed upon a series of conveniently sized fiat cutting boards 11 resting on the table with their edges abutting. The knife is adjusted to cut into these boards which are advanced as a unit with the rear gage 12 in the manner and by means now to be described. The cutting knife may be formed to produce a serrated or uneven cut and operated with a vertical stroke or it may be operated with a shear stroke for straight cutting.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5 the feeding forward of the material desirably may be accomplished by a chain 14, carried by front and rear sprockets 16 and 17 and connected to the rear gage by attachment to a lug 20 depending from the gage through a central longitudinal slot in the table, of usual construction. The rear sprocket 17 is j ournaled in an adjustable bracket 22 and the forward sprocket 16 is carried on the feed shaft 24E journaled in brackets 26-28 to the underportion of the table forward extension. The feed chain owing to the unusual length of the table is supported intermediate of the sprockets on guide rails 2929 suitably supported in the machine frame and on the supplemental table support or supports 30. It is evident that upon rotation of the feed shaft '24 in either direction the movement will be imparted to the back gage, and if forward to advance the work. Upon the feed shaft 24:, convenient for the operator, is mounted the actuating and spacing mechanism of my invention particularly designed to be quickly responsive and accurate in its operation. 1 The actuating mechanism, whereby the feed shaft is rotated, consists of the roller rachet 3a keyed on the outer end of shaft 24: and inclosed within an operating case 36 having a journal bearing on the bracket 28 and having attached thereto, by bolts 37, the cover 38 provided with an operating crank 10 having a handle 11. The cover 38 is shown having a bearing on a hub formed on the ratchet disk 34 and having the crank 40 integrally cast therewith.

To operate the feed shaft by movement of the crank 40 in either direction, a direct connection between the two is provided for, a pin 42 for this purpose is fitted to an apcr ture 43 in the crank-arm and extends into a registering aperture 44 in the ratchet disk. A plurality of the apertures 44 may be provided as shown, concentrically arranged. To produce a progressive forward movement by the feeding mechanism,v rollers 46, fitted within peripheral notches47 in the ratchet disk, are interposed between the-disk member and the operating case 36 in a manner to couple them to move together on the forward. or feeding movement and to permit the operating case to be moved rearwardly independent of the disk on the return movement.

This operation will be effected on the removal of pin 42 from the apertures 43 and 44 and means are provided to then limit the reciprocal movement of the crank and operating case to determine the extent of each feed movement. The notches 47 in the ratchet disk have hardened steel bearing plates 48 arranged therein for the rollers 46 and the operating case 36 is provided with aninterior bearing ring 50 also of hardened steel. The coupling of the case and ratchet disk is. caused by the wedging of the rollers 46 in the narrow portion of the angular grooves 47 when the opera-ting case is moved in that direction. The wedging action is insured by the springs 52 arranged in recesses 53 behind the rollers and constantly actingthereon to hold them in wedging position.

The movement of the case relative to the disk in the direction of the larger end of the grooves will force the rollers out of wedging position against the action. of the springs 52, thus to permit anindependent free return movement of the crank and case. To insure the rollers releasing instantly with out disturbing the back gage the feed shaft is frictionally connected to the stationary bracket; by the action of friction washer 54 between ratchet disk 34 and the bracket 28 and by washer 55 interposed between the bracket 28 and a sliding collar 56 keyed on the feed shaft and pressed into frictional v engagement by'a spring 58 confined between the peripheral surface of the holder 2 it will be readily understood that upon tightening of the nuts 69 they will be clamped in position by the engagement of the boltheads with the outer surface of the groove 68. To facilitate the correct setting of the stops the front face of the stop holder is shown graduated to indicate the extent of gage movement. A convenient arrangement of stops is shown by which the feed movements for both the widths and lengths desired are established by the setting of the stops 66. and 67 relative to stop (38 which is desirably set at a point zero The pin 42 when removed from aperture 43 where it directly connects the operating case and disk, may be inserted in an apcn ture 7O bored in the operating. crank to then coact with the stops 67 and 68 to limit the reciprocal movement of the case, or it may be inserted in a second aperture 71 in the arm there to engage the stops 6 and 63; in the latter position it is arranged to clear the stop 67 in its movement. The arrange ment of stops indicated permits of a most convenient manipulation of the crank between the stops set for both widths and lengths desired as the feed movements are effected for both in a forward direction from the stop 68 set at a convenient rearward position.

As shown the stops are recessed for the engagement of the pin 42 thus affording an increased engaging surface to reduce the wear. The engaging positions are also shown in radial alinement with the front face of an indicating shoulder 7 4 on the stop to be set in relation with the graduation marks on the support. The rear surfaces of the steps may also be recessed to afford additional opposed surfaces for engagement with the pin to limit the crank movements. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 retaining screws 76 are arranged in the crank arm to be screwed home with their inner ends ontering a groove 78 in the pin so that it is retained in its position.

The movement of the crank is desirably communicated to the gage by the chain connection as shown, as that arrangement permits of the imparting of a substantial movement to the gage without the intervention of gearing. and is accomplished by case in extending the table as this involves merely increasing the amount of chain and supporting rails in accordance with the increase in length.

To accommodate my feeding and spacing mechanism to the screw feed gage movements as employed for shorter back tables and shorter spacings I have shown in Figs. 6 and 7 a suitable modified form of my invention wherein the usual feed-screw 80 is employed. As will be understood this screw passes through the depending lug of the gage which is interiorly threaded therefor whereby the gage will ride forward and back as the screw is turned. At its forward end the screw is journaled in a bearing bracket 81 secured to the table under portion. On the end of the feed-screw forward of the bracket the ratchet-disk 34: of my feeding mechanism is keyed and is surrounded by the operatin case 36, the connection between them is ei' ected by binding rollers 46 working in grooves as described. The operating case has the handle 82 aliiXed thereto and is provided with a bearing flange 83 journaled on a hub 84: integral with the disk. The operating case is adapted to be locked to the disk so that they will move together in both directions to move the gage both forward and back. This locking is performed by a bolt 85 bored out concentric with the disk hub 84 for about half its depth and fitted into the flange whereby the screwing home of a nut 86 threaded on the end of the bolt to engage a shoulder of the flange 83 will draw the bolt endwise into binding engagement with the hub, locking the flange and hub together. An annular stop-support 88 is here shown fixed to the operating case to rotate therewith. This support 88 has an annular dove-tailed groove 89 to receive similarly formed bo1theads of bolts 90 upon which opposed stops 92-93 are supported and clamped tight by retaining nuts 94. To co-act with the stops which in this instance will move with the operating case, a stationary stop pin 96 is employed. The stop-pin is supported in a slide-way in the bracket 81 and normally is held in retracted position against a stoppin 97 out of engagement with the stops, by a spring 98. A thumb-piece 99 on the pin is projected through a slot 100 by which the pin may be pulled forward into operative position of engagement with the stops, to limit the movement of the case. In this advanced position the stop is held against the action of the spring 98 by pushing the pin down into engagement with a shoulder formed by a suitable cross-slot. A stationary pointer 101 is provided to indicate the extent of movement of the gage by its relation to suitable graduation marks on the operating case not shown.

Endwise movement of the feed screw is prevented by the collar 102 fixed on the feed screw and suitable washers 104i105 are interposed respectively between the ratchet disk and bracket 81 and between the bracket and the collar 102, the function of the washers being to retard the rotation of the feed screw sufficient in insure the binding and releasing of the rollers without disturbing the gage. A screw 106 and washer 107 are fitted to the end of the feed screw for the purpose of regulating the friction of the washers 1041 and 105. The bracket 81 has a split bearing for the feed screw and may be pinched together by a tightening screw 108 which is operated by a lever 110 to clamp the gage screw to prevent its turning and thus lock the back gage when desired.

112 indicates a retaining plate screwed on the front ofv the disk 34 to cover the rollers.

From the arrangement indicated it is evident that the rotation of the feed-shaft when the nut 86 is loosened, is effected only on the forward or feed movement of the operating case when it will be locked to the disk; the operating case riding freely on the disk on the return movement. The reciprocal move ment of the case is here shown controlled by two stops engaging the pins when moved forward but it will be understood that additional stops may be associated therewith if desired.

An additional feature of the present invention is best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and relates to the clamping mechanism operation to produce a heavy clamping pressure on the work during cutting. It has been customary, heretofore, to produce the clamping pres sure by a suitable frictional pressure device mounted at one end of a clamp operating shaft having connections to the respective clamp ends. With this arrangement it has been found necessary to make delicate ad- 9 ustments of the connections at the far end of the clamp shaft to compensate for the torsional twist of the shaft when under heavy strain. This adjustment, as will be readily understood involved careful calcu lation and would be efiected by changes in pressure with the result that the pressure at either end of the clamp would vary and consequently the compression of the stock being cut would not be uniform.

The clamping mechanism here shown I have devised particularly to overcome the objectional effects of torsional twist of the clamp shaft. The usual clamp shaft 120 is here employed, journaled in the opposite standards and connected to the clamp ends by the usual racks and pinions 122123, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, by which the clamp 7 is lowered on rotation of the clamp shaft. A customary form of pressure producing device is here employed to produce the clamping pressure which in accordance with my invention I have arranged to produce a balanced pressure on either end of the clamp-shaft. As shown, these pressure devices P, may be mounted directly on the clamp shaft opposite ends to be operated by oppositely arranged cams 12-.l:124: on the drive-shaft 1.

A desirable form of pressure device is shown in detail in Fig. 9 of the drawing herewith and consists substantially of the pressure case 130 here arranged one at each end of the clamp shaft, which when oscillated in one direction will produce pressure upon the work by engagement of pawls 132 carried therein, with ratchets 13-1 of a friction mechanism inclesed, slipping the friction when the clamp bears uponthe work with sufficient pressure as determined by the adjustment of the frictional parts. 7 lhe pressure case'is retarded 1n its movement by a. friction band 135 secured to the case and arranged in frictional engagement with bearing is connected, to force them into or out of en gagement with the ratchets 134 after which further movement imparts motion to the pressure case, slipping its retarding frietion, and on the forward movement when the pawls are in engagement, producing pressure upon the work. The jaw 138 is pivoted on the pressure case at 145 and is operated by the engagement therewith of the respective cams124124/ on the driveshaft. Arranged on the aw is the forward stop 1 10 to engage an opposing stop M2 on the case when the pawls have been forced into engagement by its forward movement and jaw stop 1&8 is for a similar purpose to engage case-stop 149 on the reverse movement, after the pawls have been positively withdrawn from engagement, and as will be readily understood, further movement of the jaw in either di ection after engagement of the stops will be accompanied by similar movement of case whereby the case is oscillated to produce the pressure or to return it to its initial position. Further to describe the friction pressure mechanism, the pawls 182 are arranged to engage the ratchet teeth 150 on the ratchet wheels 13% of the friction device, which are freely carried on the clamp shaft to be operated by the operating jaw 138 through the links 152 connected to the pawls. The pawls are held normally in engagement by springs 153 arranged in suitable sockets in the jaw. As shown the pawls are so arranged that when one is in engagement with a ratchet tooth the other engages the middle of a tooth thus limiting lost'motion. The friction mechanism by the slipping of which the pressure is produced consists of the aforementioned positively operated ratchets 134 clamped in frictional engagement with friction disks 155 rotatably secured to the clamp shaft. These disks are arranged between the flange 1% of the frame and an adjusting nut 156 on the end of the clamp shaft. This adjusting nut is to tighten or loosen the disks to regulate the clamping pressure and after the nut is adjusted it is secured by a set screw 15-8.

While I have shown and described a dc sirable form of pressure producing device it will be understood that any suitable pressure mechanism may be employed in the manner here indicated to avoid the torsional dissipation of the power, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Particular features of advantage attending the use of my improved mechanism are, the assurance of the cuts being absolutely duplicated to cut the stock at uniform disstances as predetermined by the stops, and, after the stock is cut in strips, the provision for conveniently adjusting the stops to again out the strips, as customarily required at right angles to the first cutting, when the boards are properly turned and replaced on the table. Accurate transmission of the movement given to the operating case is insured by the instantaneous locking and releasing of the gripping parts employed, 2'. c. the rollers working in the grooves, which are rendered positive in their action by the springs and retarding washers so as to permit of no lost motion.

Having described my invention 1 claim,

1, In a cutting machine the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work ad ancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stationary stop supporting member adjacent to the actuating member and stops arranged on the respective members by their engagement to limit the movement of the actuating member.

2. In a cutting machine the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the mife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling n'icans to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating men'ibcr to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an. independent return movement of the actuating member, a stationary stop-sun porting member suitably arranged, adjustable stops arranged on one of the members and a 006 aerating stop carried on the other member to engage the adjustable stops to limit the feed movement of the actuating member.

In a cutting machine the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, worl; advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move to gethcr in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return. movement of the actuating member, a stationary stop-supporting member suitably arranged, adjustable stops arranged on one of the members and a cooperating stop carried on the other member to engage the adjustable stops to limit the feed movement of the actuating member, one of the adjustable stops having a plurality of engaging surfaces and said cooperating stop being shiftable thereby to engage with either of said surfaces.

4. In a cutting machine the combination with the frame and a table for the work tiereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stationary stopsupporting member suitably arranged, adjustable stops arranged on one of the members and a cooperating stop carried on the other member to engage the adjustable stops to limit the feed movement of the actuating member, said cooperating stop being adapted to be shif ed into a position to couple the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in both directions.

5. In a paper cutting machine the combination with the frame and a table for the Work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stop support suitably arranged with relation to the actuating member, and rotatable therewith, stops arranged to be adjustable on said support and a fixed stop on the frame to cooperate with the movable stops to limit the feed movement of the actuating member.

6. In a paper cutting machine, the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stop support suitably arranged with relation to the actuating member, stops adjustably arranged. in the support, a cooperating stop arranged to engage the adjustable stop to determine the movement of the actuating member, said cooperating stop being adapted to assume a shifted position and one of the adjustable stops being arranged to cooperate therewith only in one of its positions whereby shifting of the said stop will vary the feed movements.

7. In a paper cutting machine, the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stop support suitably arranged with relation to the actuating member, stops adjustably arranged in the supports and a cooperating stop pin arranged to assume shifted positions to engage different adjustable stops to determine the movement of the actuating member and to lock the advancing mechanism and the actuating member together.

8. In a paper cutting machine, the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, a movable gage for the work, work advancing mechanism comprising a clutch member and connections therefrom to the gage, an actuating member for the ad vancing mechanism, connections between the clutch member and the actuating member whereby they are coupled to move together in one direction and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member, a stop support suitably arranged with relation to the actuating member, stops adjustably arranged on the support, a cooperating stop pin fitted to an aperture in the actuating member to engage opposed positions of the adjustable stops and said actuating member being provided with additional apertures to receive said pin to cooperate with the stops and to effect locking of the actuating member to the advancing mechanism.

9. In a cutting machine, the combination with the frame and a table for the work thereon, of a knife, means to operate the knife, work advancing mechanism, an actuating member therefor, coupling means to effect the coupling of the advancing mechanism and the actuating member to move together to advance said mechanism and adapted to permit an independent return movement of the actuating member and means temporarily to connect the advancing mechanism and the actuating member whereby the latter may be operated to return the former to rearward position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DARIUS T. VVADHAMS.

Witnesses J. R. MILLWARD, ALLAN W. Foosn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

